Disclaimer: This story is pure fiction, I do not own any of the characters, while parts of the story with regards to locations are based on my previous trips to Israel & Egypt, this does not mean that I know true locations of any Mossad or Hamas buildings
She was leaning against the wall, he was sitting on the couch next to her, both were trying to keep their emotions in check, for they both new this was not the time and definitely not the place to let them out.
Neither had spoken in well over an hour, they were staring out the far window, it was raining, typical she thought. Turning to him she spoke softly "Why, why her?"
He looked into her eyes, they were on the verge of tear, "I don't know, I just don't know…. come here" she sat down next to him.
"We shall get those responsible, I promise you that" he said quietly with authority, she agreed "We will" she wanted nothing more than to do just that, that very instant.
In the reception area where they were sitting, there was a set of large double doors, the pair knew that sooner rather than later the doors would open & sure enough, they did.
Two men came through the doors, both were in their 50's, one was over 6 feet tall with black hair & solid build, while the other was slightly shorter, with brown hair, they both looked extremely solemn.
They approached the pair whom had just risen from the couch, the taller man spoke in a deep tone "Ziva, Ari, you remember Director Yoni Levy"
"Yes, its nice to see you again sir" Ari said as they shook hands, Ziva followed Ari's lead and shook hands, but remained silent.
"I am sorry for your loss. Please come into my office so we can talk" the director said, as he lead them into his office.
Ari followed dutifully, but Ziva was held back by the second man "Ziva, pull yourself together will you, this isn't the time or the place to let your emotions out"
"I am doing the best I can father, I am not as good as you at keeping my emotions in check" Ziva replied point blank.
"Well DO BETTER!" her father, assistant deputy director Eli David answered in a huff as he walked into the director's office.
As they all took their seats, the director looked each of them in the eyes and begun "We are doing everything we can to find whom is responsible for today's bombing, we will use all available resources to track them down, you have my word on that….now due to the sensitivity of today's occurrence I must ask. No insist that all three of you keep your distance from this investigation and subsequent actions, you are all too emotionally involved to see things clearly. I have already spoken with your father and he has assured me that you will all keep your distance. However I would like to hear it from you, so Ziva, Ari, will you keep your distance?"
Ari was the first to break the silence "Yes Sir"
It was a further moment before Ziva replied and it took a look from Ari to get her to do so "Yes Sir"
The director seemed convinced, "Good, thank you...Now Eli, take your children home, we shall speak tomorrow" Director Levy said gently.
They all rose and shook hands, it was only when they had left the Directors office, did Eli speak quietly so only Ziva and Ari would hear "my office, now!"
They followed their father down the hall to his office, once inside he immediately started at them "You might have assured the director that you wont do anything, but I know you both and I know exactly what you are thinking, and I for one wont allow it!"
"You don't know what I am thinking father" Ziva replied emotionally.
"Of course I do Ziva, you want revenge, you both do!" Eli said struggling to keep his emotions in check.
"Don't you father?" Ari asked his father blankly.
"Of course I do Ari, how can you ask me that! I would love to kill the men who murdered my daughter, your sister, but we have been given a direct order, one I will see we will all follow" David said to his son.
Ziva tried to disagree "But father…."
"No Ziva!" Eli interrupted her quickly, "Though you might not believe me, I am in terrible pain at Tali's passing, my entire body is in pain knowing I will never lay eyes on her again, never be able to hold her, to hear her laugh, which is why we will go home, see your mother and get ready for the funeral tomorrow, we are hosting the minyan, so we have much to do, then we will sit shiva as a family, no exceptions!"
For Ziva the next 48 hours passed in a blur, the funeral, the minyan; it was all a blur, all she remembered was how quiet the house was. No TV, no radio, no music, nothing, just them and their thoughts about poor Tali, this was shiva. Ziva did not want to have to go through this again any time soon, it was unbearable.
Her mother wouldn't stop crying, her dad never cried, she hadn't seen Ari cry, but knew he did, she cried, when she was alone. She needed to do something to keep herself from thinking about her dear little sister, but what could she do during shiva? Especially with her father not letting her or Ari out of his sight for long periods. She knew he was just trying to protect her, but she needed out and fast. She was sitting on her little sisters bed, remembering their last conversation, it was about a boy Tali liked, she wanted to know how best to approach him for date.
She was so deep in thought that she didn't even notice Ari come and sit next to her on the bed "Ziva you ok?" he asked.
"So, so" Ziva replied.
"Ziva, listen to me, I have just spoken with someone, we have a line on the Hamas cell that carried out the bombing, its two remaining members have already fled to Egypt" Ari whispered her making sure they're father heard nothing.
Ziva looked right into his eyes, there was such sadness, but also expectation at the prospect of getting those two men responsible, she asked softly "When could we leave?"
Ari looked at her solemnly, "As soon as father goes to synagogue, there is a flight out in 3 hours"
"Ari, what do we tell my mother, we are supposed to be sitting shiva remember?" Ziva whispered back.
"We will say we need to go for a walk to clear our heads and we wont be long, remember Ziva, shiva is a period to mourn, remember and that's exactly what we will do! Mourn her and make sure those Hamas terrorists never forget her!" Ari's eyes glinted with righteous fire.
Ziva nodded "They will not forget her even when they get their 72 virgins"
Ari smiled "Ziva, hold onto that thought, you need to put your emotions to the back of your mind while we do this, otherwise we might both be joining Tali…..can you do that?…For me?"
"Yes Ari" Ziva nodded at him.
Ari grinned, "Good, then pack a few things, all the materials we will need will be awaiting us in Cairo".
A/N: How will they go in Egypt? Let me know your thoughts, reviews are always appreciated.